Has anyone noticed that some aquaria-related forums are densely populated with extremely territorial people? As a matter of fact, the majority of them are, and that's why I love this site. We're all thick-skinned enough not to worry about stepping on each other's toes or infringing on someone's "territory of expertise".

I browse dozens of aquaria-related forums every day and more often than not, I come across with someone who has to object to everything you say. Before you know it, you find yourself wrapped up in a debate, yet the two of you aren't even disagreeing on anything. They simply don't want anyone else giving out advice on "their" forum. :roll:

I'm not going to mention names. It's not anyone that comes to this site, though.

I have not visited that many forums, but I have seen exactly what you have said. I find it frustrating reading through some of those forums. Good topics usually end up in bickering because of "noob" questions. My experience mainly comes from video gaming forums but I was surprised to even see this on a certain nano reef forum.
I believe this happens when small amount of people become accustomed to a forum and then become offended when it becomes overpopulated by newcomers.

This forum is great as everyone has a different level of experience with different plants. The community is slowly growing but everyone has something to offer.

Another thing is that we all learn pretty quickly that there is no RIGHT way to do this, there are so many particulars of water conditions and plant requirements and general approaches (ie hi tech vs low tech) that we are not too surprised when someone pops up and says "I've found another way to do that".

Sure there are gurus whom it is unwise to contradict, but they are not territorial, and IMO that sets the tone for the hobby. Perhaps that is because the planted end of aquaria is still so relatively new and therefore innovating rapidly.

One would be foolhardy to start a reef sandbed argument with Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. Or to try to debate fertilization with Tom Barr. But when a particular forum's "resident expert" steps in with an answer to every problem and bats off anyone else who tries to interject, it does get pretty annoying. There aren't many places like that, I do admit. Even the experts are ready to learn and be challenged.
There are somethat will never allow their ideas to be challenged, though. These are the same guys who are running Wet/Dry filters on reef tanks, LOL.

Yes, I know what your talking about. One of the cichlid forums I frequent and rarely now, is full of people who think they know it all. I suspect that these are people whom are around 15- 20 age group.

They use words such as Pops when they answer older people.

The funny thing is that they think they are in control of everything. The reality is that only an infantile meglomanic thinks that they are in control of anything at all! :lol:

I found that with the aforementioned site I would frequently get mad with someone over stubborn ideas, get involved and really acheive nothing at all, aside from raising some steam.

Now I only go there just to keep up to date with what is going on. If I put some advice in it is completely ignored and some person will give bad advice because they are stuck in this rules based notion and the silly person seeking the advice takes the bad advice. Next thing you know there is a thread about something they were warned against and again they take the bad advice.

So now I have given up on giving advice, after twenty years in the hobby, I discovered one thing. I know a lot less now than I thought I did twenty years ago.

This site is good because I can read all I like and learn from others mistakes and take this and apply it without getting into some debate about who can "urinate up the wall further".

One of my goals when creating this site was exactly this; keeping the board a friendly place to discuss our hobby. I am glad to hear that it is still that way and myself and the moderators will work hard to keep it that way!

Kyle, we all appreciate the time and effort is has taken to build this site and keep it running smoothly. I spend more time on this forum now then most others simply because of the friendly atmosphere and the freedom of expression.

Its nice to have a community of focussed individuals who are open minded enough to consider the opinions and suggestions of others, regardless of age or experience.

I am a mod/admin on 3 other boards, and I must admit that this board seems to be very well run. I think your subject matter helps you avoid problems as well. I think most aquarists that want to put the time, money and effort in to have a really nice planted tank tend to be a little older, or at least mature for their age.

One of the sites I moderate is an Oscar site (www.oscarfish.com). There is something about big fish that are capable of eating other fish that draws the teenagers in like droves. We have many problems over there. They tend to get offended when it is explained to them that they can't keep a fish that is capable of growing to 18 inches in a 10 gallon tank.

You're probably on to something... As the level of complexety grows in the hobby you tend to weed out less dedicated enthusiasts. So you don't end up with a lot of people fighting over minor issues. It makes for a more open environment.

I agree that your theory seems very plausible. But sometimes it goes further. Some of the far advanced aquaria boards go beyond maturity and dedication and get into something more of an elitist attitude. If you don't subscribe to their opinions, you are a troll, end of story.

If I post an idea and someone thinks it isn't wise, I welcome the contradiction. It is best for every hobbyist to choose their own method of doing things. But it is also important that they hear about all of their options so they can make that decision on their own. I suppose we're just a lot less rigid and concrete here. We're fluid, hehe. How apt.

We also have wildly contradictory spheres of thought on how plants can grow (high light + high ferts, moderate light + soil ferts) that are not only both sucessful, but the leaders in each realm typically maintain a few tanks in the other style! How bizarre! :lol:

Saluki has a good point on the maturity matter. Probably teenagers have no interest in aquatic plants. I know I did not have any interest in plants just until 2 years ago! That started with my mom buying me a single plant. Now, I have shelves full of tropical plants and assorted cacti.
It takes quite a bit of patience to take care of plants of any kind. Time and patience do not seem to fit well with most children. I do not speak for all children, since I am still one =).

It takes quite a bit of patience to take care of plants of any kind. Time and patience do not seem to fit well with most children.

I must be an exception... with 5 years I propagated Coleus and others tropicals on my window, and with 8 I had my first planted tank(s). Where I grew up the concept of artificial/plastic plants seems a little weird, so everyone with a fish tank had real plants in them... nothing as fancy as Glosso and R wallichii of course... mostly vals and crypts and stem plants.

Anyway... I agree, maybe the possible complexity of what we are doing here separates planted tank ppl from the rest of the world :lol: Although we have our issues with pearling and streaming :P

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